A 36-year-old New Zealand-born builder has been arrested and charged for an armed robbery that occurred at a Narrabeen service station in 2011, following a recent public appeal by NSW Police.
The arrest comes after NSW Police issued a public appeal last month on April 22, 2025, exactly 14 years after the incident occurred at a service station on Pittwater Road, Narrabeen.
According to police reports, on April 22, 2011, shortly before 8:00 am, a man entered the service station store and allegedly threatened a 20-year-old male staff member with a sawn-off rifle before fleeing on foot with stolen cash. The suspect was last seen running west along Robertson Street.
Despite an extensive investigation at the time, police were unable to identify a suspect. However, following a recent review of the case and with assistance from Queensland Police, a breakthrough was made.
The suspect was apprehended at 9:30 am on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the Acacia Ridge Hotel on Beaudesert Road in Brisbane. After his arrest, he appeared at the Brisbane Magistrates Court where an extradition order to NSW was granted.
Northern Beaches Police Detectives escorted the man to Sydney Airport on Wednesday, May 7, where he was taken to Mascot Police Station and formally charged with robbery while armed with a dangerous weapon.
The accused appeared at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday, May 8, where he was refused bail. He has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to reappear at the same court on Thursday, July 10, 2025.
This arrest highlights the persistence of law enforcement in resolving cold cases and brings hope for closure to what has been a 14-year investigation for the Northern Beaches community.
Published 8-May-2025
